WWE Royal Rumble 2026: 5 Nightmares That Could Come True

Few will ever forget how miffed The Rock looked as fans rained boos down on he and Roman Reigns at the tail end of the 2015 Rumble match. Rocky, complete with jaw agape, was frankly stunned that people reacted so negatively to his endorsement of WWE's new poster child. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Cody Rhodes has been hearing some boos himself whenever he's cutting promos on SmackDown. In fact, the former WWE Champion has even started acknowledging that heat as a regular part of his speeches, and that shows just how noticeable the boos are getting. It's surely only a matter of time before Rhodes goes full blown heel and tells the WWE audience to stick it.

The creative team aren't quite there yet, so it'd be a nightmare for them if Cody was booked to win his third Rumble (following victories in both 2023 and 2024) then heard jeers aplenty. It'd be even more maddening for the writing team if 2025 winner Jey Uso was the one raising his friend's hand in celebration and both were booed out of the building.

Unfortunately, this isn't too far-fetched. Chants of, 'We Want Roman' and, 'OTC! OTC! OTC!' could fill the night air as a puzzled Cody and Jey look on from the ring. Triple H absolutely won't want this PLE going dark with such a cloud hanging over his booking. He'd have to be a fool to think that everyone will be 100% on board with Rhodes winning yet again though.

Be careful, WWE! If Cody going full on heel isn't your plan for WrestleMania 42, then be careful.